Chapter 75 – Intelligence and Reconnaissance
In the afternoon, Wanyan Sarigal returned.
"Reporting! Reconnaissance complete."
Aguda raised the signal banner and sounded the assembly horn.
The commanders gathered immediately.
"Sarigal, report the intelligence you have gathered."
"Yes, sir! Reporting!
The enemy force does not reach thirty thousand.
Most of them are tribal troops.
At the center is the Imperial Guard.
The one in command is Xiao Sixian, the eldest son of the Xiao clan.
He has divided his forces into five parts—front, center, rear, and left and right."
"He split thirty thousand into five divisions?"
"Yes. It is a method used in the Central Plains."
"Hm. Interesting."
Young-woo asked,
"What about their equipment?"
"They are armed with swords and bows."
"And spears?"
"Very few. They consider them long and cumbersome, so they rarely carry them."
"Any other troop types?"
"The scout-raider cavalry remains unchanged.
Mounted archers form the main force."
Young-woo asked,
"What are these scout-raider troops?"
"They are light cavalry specializing in reconnaissance.
They move in all directions, gather intelligence, and create confusion,
but their combat strength is not particularly high."
"I see… Do they have heavy cavalry?"
"The heavy cavalry known as Tieyaozi (鐵鷂子) is hardly seen."
Sarigal cautiously addressed Aguda.
"Additionally, this is intelligence…
It is said that the Heavenly Emperor has dispatched a force of one hundred thousand under Commander Xiao Sixian."
"One hundred thousand?"
Aguda asked in surprise.
"They are not assembled yet.
It is said they will gather, but in reality that number is unlikely.
There are three thousand Khitan and Xi troops,
two thousand imperial guards stationed in Zhongjing,
and two thousand tribal forces from various regions.
In total, seven thousand.
This is the confirmed number at present.
Over time, they may increase, but ten thousand—no, one hundred thousand—cannot truly be assembled.
However…"
Sarigal held his words.
Aguda pressed him,
"However, what?"
"If time passes, the enemy's numbers may increase."
Aguda confirmed,
"The current force is seven thousand, correct?"
"Yes."
A deep crease formed across Aguda's brow.
He turned to Wanyan Yinga.
"What about our numbers?"
"If time passes, we can increase from 2,500 to about 3,700.
An additional 1,200 is our limit."
Young-woo asked,
"How many heavy cavalry do we have?
Those capable of making a charge."
Wanyan Zonghan replied,
"At most 1,200.
That is the maximum number of armored cavalry we can field."
Aguda spoke,
"It may not be one hundred thousand.
But if time passes, their numbers will grow.
Then we will have no chance.
We must strike their vital point before that."
Wanyan Zonghan responded,
"Yes.
The sooner the better.
We must attack before they gather more."
Aguda urged Wanyan Yinga,
"Hasten the integration.
Organize all who arrive immediately."
"Yes, sir."
Young-woo emphasized,
"For a smaller force to break the enemy's depth,
heavy cavalry is essential."
Wanyan Zonghan answered,
"We call them Cheolbudo."
"The ones wearing silver armor?"
"Yes."
Aguda asked,
"Where is their camp?"
"On the northern bank of the Apja River (鴨子河)."
The Apja River was called Songwa River in the Jin and Yuan dynasties, and Songhua River in the Ming dynasty.
"So we must cross the river."
"They are clearing snow and breaking the ice."
"Why? To prevent crossing?"
"Yes. It seems they intend to wait until their forces gather."
At the mention of breaking the ice, Aguda's eyes sharpened.
It meant the enemy feared a crossing.
It was midwinter.
They were clearly breaking the ice to prevent passage.
"Who is the Supreme Commander?"
Commander-in-chief of all forces.
"Xiao Sixian. Do you know him?"
"I will recognize him when I see his face."
"They have appointed Xiao Sixian as commander, and Xiao Olnap as deputy."
"The Xiao clan has always commanded the army."
"They occupied Chulhajeom in October.
They command the imperial guard, the Xi, and multiple tribal forces.
They are currently gathering troops."
"We move immediately!"
Aguda shouted.
"Loyalty!"
"Loyalty!"
"Loyalty!"
"Loyalty!"
"Loyalty!"
When intelligence accumulates,
the battle begins to take shape on its own.
Young-woo formed the battlefield in his mind.
As a foot soldier,
he had only followed orders.
But through the council,
the situation became visible.
His mind turned.
He saw a way to win.
Foolish commanders never considered the whole field.
They pushed troops forward without a plan.
They drove them in until they all died—
if they won, it was victory; if they lost, it was over.
We were expendable.
The enemy is on the northern bank of the Apja River.
Seven thousand—that is correct.
Three thousand Khitan and Xi,
two thousand imperial guards,
two thousand tribal troops.
Seven thousand in total.
They are breaking the river ice
to prevent a Jurchen assault.
We have 2,500.
With time, it may increase to 3,700.
Heavy shock cavalry numbers 1,200.
We must attack before the enemy grows stronger.
We must strike before they break all the ice.
They appear to lack heavy cavalry.
Therefore,
our heavy cavalry must cross first—
and fast.